Bizarro is brought to you by Easter and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Modern pig farms don’t let pigs out of their tiny cages so no amount of helium will make them float. That’s a shame, it sure would be a fun way to escape. Even many hardcore conservative meat eaters are starting to object to the way “food” animals are treated in the U.S. but it won’t stop until consumers object and insist it stop. But consumers won’t object if they don’t see the cruelty for themselves and since it is a felony in many places to take photos or videos of these concentration camps, that is increasingly unlikely. When people do risk imprisonment and sneak in for shots, the videos are so disgusting that most news networks won’t show them anyway. Ratings over truth. Sorry to get serious, it’s just that it is a gross injustice that bothers me. That’s why I don’t eat them.
Our last comic today is about social networking. There are lots of things to say about Facebook and here is one of them. This idea came from my good buddy and colleague, Wayno, and here is what he has to say about it.
On that “Humans aren’t the only species” shirt, it looks like you’re tickling the chicken under the left wing. Is that nice? The chicken doesn’t look like it is laughing, in fact it looks annoyed.
She’s not annoyed, she was a very affectionate girl and loved to be held and petted. Not all chickens are like that. We fostered her for a week or so back in ’02 before sending her to a sanctuary. Chickens are anatomically incapable of facial expressions, which is one reason we find it innately difficult to relate to them on an emotional level.
Actually I meant that in a ironic, humorous way. I know you weren’t tickling , torturing or being cruel to the chicken.
In my preschool days I spent a lot of time chasing, and occasionally, when I was very young, being chased by the chickens in my Aunt’s farm (the free range ones anyway) much to her and their dismay. I now feel rather bad about the whole thing and deplore the situation most of these birds are subjected to. And I think concentration camps is a good description, though perhaps Torture Camps would be nearer the truth.
I wasn’t sure. (smiley face)
So pig farms are “concentration camps”? Dan, mind if I share this with some Holocaust survivors? I would love to hear the choice words they have for you after learning that you equate their imprisonment and torture in the name of genocide to raising livestock for consumption.
Concentration camps were called this because they concentrated a population into a small area. This is a literal definition that most certainly pertains to factory farms. I am well aware that most humans think that the imprisonment and death of Jews in WWII was far and away worse than anything anyone could do to non-human animals. But that opinion is only possible if one considers humans to be “sacred” compared to other species. I do not. From my point of view, to say that humans suffering is more important than the suffering of any other species is like saying that the suffering of men is more important than that of women, or that the suffering of whites is more important than that of blacks. I don’t make that distinction; I am not a sexist, racist, or speciesist.
Okay, I’m not saying your point of view is wrong, but here’s an issue I have. When you draw these comparisons between how animals are treated and atrocities committed on humans, you’re putting out the implication that people who eat meat are on the level of Nazis or other mass murderers. You’ve come right out and insulted non-vegetarians and non-vegans in the past. That is where I have a problem. You don’t eat meat, you regard animals as equal to humans; fine. But don’t demonize people who don’t share your ideologies by implying they’re evil/cruel/stupid/whatever. When you do that, you’re acting like a left-wing Limbaugh.
I haven’t said that I think people who eat meat are evil and I can’t help what people assume. A person who is normally compassionate to animals (will rescue cats, dogs, baby birds) but who eats meat is not “evil/cruel/stupid” in most cases. I was that person until I was 42 years old and I was none of those things. It’s more about having a blind spot to certain species and to the consequences of your own actions. Once I saw it, I couldn’t not see it and I was ashamed at how long it took me. But until that day when it became clear, I turned a blind eye and deaf ear to any animal called “food” –– as if they were too stupid to suffer, or as though I needed it for survival and health. The opposite is true in all cases.
Actually, concentration camps were run by people who knew what kind of horrors were being perpetrated. I’m sure that there were lots of Germans who were unaware of those horrors and don’t deserve to share the same kind of blame. But CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations – see, it’s even in the technical term) are operated by people who understand and willingly participate in the brutal, inhumane treatment of their inmates. Which I agree puts them right up there with the Nazis. As Dan said, though, most people who eat meat are completely unaware of what the animals went through so they (the people) could satisfy their taste buds.
I’m sure you are aware of the Pink Floyd cover for Animals…if not, I’m sure I won’t be the last to mention it!
In the first paragraph, linked the album cover picture of the flying pig to the words “make them float.”
Old man shaking fist… “Get off my web page!”
“Flying Pigs” really made me laugh. I think the comic works better in black and white (and with lesser eyesight). I read the caption and was trying to figure out the joke when the clouds suddenly changed into pigs. Confusion + surprise = humor.
I agree with you on this. I drew the joke with that in mind, hoping to cause the reader to look for the answer. But the color does change that quite a bit.
Dan, please don’t apologize for “getting serious”. I’m so glad you did. It opens up a chance for a discussion on a very important subject. :)
Really love the “get our of my face book” cartoon.
Dan,
I sense that you have something you want to say. Please, don’t hold back. Tell us how you feel. Oh yeah, you just did!
Good for you, it’s your blog. I am still pretty pissed off about the attack on Oester not being the origin of Easter but I will get over it.
Have great gig in Tulsa next week.
I loved the get out of my face book cartoon, too! One of my all-time favorite cartoons of yours is the “Have you heard the good news about cheeses?” one! Oh, yeah…and I like the one where the guy is applying for a job and he puts “sleeping in,” under references thinking it says preferences….greatness!!!
Pingback: The Anti-Social Network | LauraJul